Old Friends (eBook)

Andrew Lang (1844–1912) was a Scottish poet, novelist, literary critic, and contributor to the field of anthropology. He is best known for his work as a collector of folk and fairy tales. A prodigious author and versatile scholar, Lang's interests ranged from ancient history and mythology to psychical research and parapsychology, his writings reflecting a keen interest in the supernatural. In the literary domain, his name is enduringly associated with 'The Blue Fairy Book' (1889), the first in a series of 12 colored fairy books, which were groundbreaking in their presentation of a wide variety of international folk tales to the English-speaking audience. His sharp scholarly ability was also evident in his historical texts and critical essays, which often revealed his outstanding command of narration and language. 'Old Friends' is a testament to Lang's familiarity with a plethora of classical works and his capacity to engage with them critically, as well as creatively. The work displays his remarkable skill in handling prose and his adeptness at analyzing characters from various literary periods with insightfulness and wit. Considered a bridge between the general public and scholarly literature, Lang's oeuvre includes a diverse range of written works encompassing poetry, criticism, and folklore that attest to his role as a significant figure in the late Victorian and Edwardian literary landscape.